Rep. Gabe Amo

Maddy summaryThe RUBIO Act (HR 3528) prohibits the U.S. Secretary of State from holding or performing duties of any other federal position. It also requires that no federal funds be used to cover the Secretary's salary or expenses if they hold another position. This bill directly affects the Secretary of State by preventing dual appointments in federal roles. The key mechanism is a funding restriction to enforce the prohibition on holding multiple federal positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It bans policies that would deny service, involuntarily separate members, deny medically necessary healthcare, or require service in a gender different from one's identity. The law defines "gender identity" broadly to include a person's internal sense of gender, appearance, and mannerisms, regardless of sex assigned at birth. It directly affects transgender and gender-diverse individuals currently serving or seeking to serve in the Armed Forces.

Maddy summaryHR 3505, the Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program administered by the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of proven safety barriers and nets on specific high-risk structures. The program provides competitive grants (up to 80% federal funding) to states, local governments, or other eligible entities for projects installing suicide deterrents on bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail crossings, or rail stations. It prioritizes areas with high suicide rates and mandates a study by the Comptroller General to evaluate effective deterrents for non-bridge structures and their costs, with a report due within one year of enactment. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2030 for this initiative.

Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). DOT must apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs. The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities. DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services. A grant recipient must (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements. Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.

Maddy summaryHJRES 96 is a congressional resolution that would block a specific proposed military sale to the United Arab Emirates. It targets defense articles and services listed in Transmittal No. 25-25 (submitted May 13, 2025), specifically F-16 aircraft components, spares, accessories, and related logistics support. The resolution would prohibit this sale under the Arms Export Control Act, requiring congressional disapproval before it could proceed. This directly affects the U.S. government (which would need to halt the sale) and the UAE (which would lose access to these defense items).

Maddy summaryHJRES 97 is a congressional resolution blocking a specific proposed military sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It prohibits the sale of defense articles and services detailed in Transmittal No. 24-118, including six Chinook helicopters, missile warning systems, communications equipment, and machine guns. The resolution exercises Congress’s authority under the Arms Export Control Act to disapprove the sale before it proceeds. This directly affects the UAE government, which sought these defense items, and requires the U.S. State Department to halt the transaction. The bill does not create new policy but stops a specific foreign military sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a tax deduction for personal losses caused by disasters, crimes, or scams (like stolen property or damage from hurricanes). It directly affects taxpayers who filed returns before 2025 but couldn’t claim this deduction due to a prior suspension. The bill reinstates the deduction and extends the deadline to file refund claims for these losses until the tax filing deadline for the year the bill becomes law. This allows eligible individuals to claim refunds they were previously barred from receiving.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the President has no constitutional authority to withhold funds Congress has appropriated. It creates new legal mechanisms allowing private citizens and state/local governments to sue the federal government for impoundments of appropriated funds. The bill strengthens the Comptroller General's oversight role by requiring executive branch cooperation in investigations of potential violations. Federal employees who knowingly violate these provisions would face personal liability and lose immunity protections. The legislation aims to reinforce Congress's constitutional authority over the budget process.

Maddy summaryHR 3398 (the Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act) bans civilians from purchasing, owning, or possessing "enhanced body armor" (defined as bullet-resistant gear meeting National Institute of Justice RF1 standards) without exception. The law directly affects most private citizens who might seek such armor, while exempting law enforcement officers (including corrections officers), government agencies, tribes, and individuals who legally owned enhanced body armor before the law took effect. Key provisions include creating a new federal criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison for violations, with clear definitions of "enhanced body armor" and "covered law enforcement officer" based on existing legal standards. The bill focuses on restricting access to high-level protective gear for non-official use, not on regulating standard body armor.

Maddy summaryHR 3368, the "Born in the USA Act of 2025," prohibits federal funding for Executive Order 14160 (which aimed to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S.). The bill directly affects federal agencies that might implement the executive order by blocking their use of funds for that purpose. Its key provision is a funding ban targeting the executive order and any similar future policies, without changing citizenship law. The bill does not alter birthright citizenship rights but prevents federal resources from being used to enforce the controversial executive order. It is a procedural measure focused on funding, not a substantive policy change to citizenship rules.